Ajax 2-1 Barcelona: The Dutch inflict the first loss of the season

Posted by: neydmin Posted date: November 26, 2013 In: Neymar news | comment : 0

Full-time: Ajax 2-1 Barcelona
Goals: Xavi (49′)
Match date: November 26, 2013
Stadium: Amsterdam Arena
Competition: UEFA Champions League
Barcelona line-up: Valdés, Montoya, Piqué, Mascherano, Puyol, Song, Xavi, Iniesta, Neymar, Fabregas, Pedro.

Tata Martino has finally felt the taste of losing for the first time since he got to Barcelona and it all happened in Amsterdam, this Tuesday night. With the qualification already assured, Barça failed to keep the motivation levels they should have had when playing in the Champions League and the Dutch champions capitalized on that.

The first goal was scored by Thulani Serero, after finishing off a low cross sent in from the right wing. Poor marking from Barça on the back and the home side made them pay with the opener.

Surprisingly, it would be Ajax reaching the next goal as well, after a lot of permissiveness from Barcelona defenders already inside the penalty area. Danny Hoesen had to get rid of Puyol before hitting the back of the net, but the truth is that he has done it without much trouble.

Barcelona reaction arrived shortly after the break, when Neymar intercepted a bad pass made an Ajax defender and got clipped on his legs as he was entering the penalty area. Straight red card for Joel Veltman and in Messi‘s absence, it was Xavi who took and converted the penalty-kick to restore the hope for the Blaugrana.

However, it wasn’t Barça night and Ajax managed to hold on to their 1-goal lead right until the end, securing the 3 points and defeating this Barcelona side for the first time this season.

Sources: fcbarcelona.com